Acting Press Secretary Todd Breasseale provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar by telephone today to discuss the importance of maintaining stability in Syria and the need for continued efforts to reduce tensions in the Aegean through constructive dialogue. The leaders also discussed their continued support for Ukraine and Secretary Austin thanked Minister Akar for Turkey’s humanitarian efforts related to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.